Oxford City kept up the pressure on Division 1South & West leaders Didcot Town with a hard-fought victory against Abingdon United at Court Place Farm.

City were left kicking themselves on Saturday as they could only draw at strugglers Newport IOW, but they made no mistake against their derby rivals.

It means Abingdon have won just one of their last eight games.

City got off to the perfect start when Darren Pond fired past Simon Tricker following a move involving George Redknap and Jon Gardner.

And a dominant City doubled their lead when Alex Stewart cracked in a 25-yard free-kick, harshly awarded against Michael Alexis for a foul on Gardner. Although Tricker got his hand to it, he couldn't keep it out.

Abingdon were given a lifeline when a shot from Michaes Herbert was deflected past Steve Smith by a City defender.

Gardner was unlucky not to make it 3-1, but he hit the left-hand post after mesmerising Abingdon's defence with a mazy run.

Seconds later, Tricker tipped Gardner's shot over the bar, before a cross from the industrious Mark Bell fizzed across the box with noone there to apply the finishing touch.

A brilliant tackle from Redknap denied Billy Beechers as he broke into the area, and minutes later, Anaclet Odhiambo miscontrolled the ball in the box following a huge punt upfield from Tricker.

City should have got a third, but Gardner blasted a difficult chance over the bar following a super cross from Bell.

Just before the break, Smith made a good save from Odhiambo.

At the start of the second half, Pond twice made two good clearances as Abingdon hunted the equaliser.

Smith kept out sub Luke Holden before Redknap sealed victory when he headed in a cross from sub Steve Davis.

Alexis then had a penalty appeal rejected, before Redknap was denied a second by Tricker. Late on, Herbert headed wide.

Oxford C: Smith, Saulsbury, Woodruffe (Davis 40), Gunn, Pond, Avery, Gardner (Jones 60), Malone, Stewart (Williams 75), Redknap, Bell. Subs not used: Meade, Roper.

Abingdon Utd: Tricker, Moss, Organ, Alexis, Franklin, Carbon (Holden 62), Brooks, Herbert, Odhiambo, Beechers (Aldworth 77), Curtin. Subs not used: Mills, Hemmings, Cottrell.

Attendance: 315.

Pictured is Darren Pond, who scored Oxford City's first goal in their 3-1 win against Abingdon United.